Republican Don Marostica, who gave up his legislative seat to work for Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter, won’t be working for the new governor.

Marostica told the Denver Business Journal’s Ed Sealover that Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper isn’t keeping him on as the director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade or considering him for any other post in his administration.

“Marostica said that he was told Wednesday by John Huggins, co-chairman of Hickenlooper’s transition team, that the incoming governor has decided to do a clean sweep of his Cabinet posts and that Marostica was no longer being considered as a candidate to retain his job,” Sealover wrote.

But a source within the Hickenlooper administration insisted tonight there was no “clean sweep” with the new Democratic governor automatically getting rid of the outgoing Democratic governor’s hires.

“But we’re not at a point where we can say who’s going and who’s staying,” the source said told The Spot.

You can read the entire Denver Business Journal article by clicking here.

“As a governor, I have seen first hand what this economic downturn – the worst since the Great Depression — has done to Colorado families, small business, ranches and farms, and especially to those who have lost their jobs,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “This is not the time for more delay and bickering in Washington; it’s the time to provide tax relief to our families and businesses, and to extend again unemployment benefits for Coloradans struggling to move forward in this tough economy.

“We’re thinking that we might run again in two years, but who knows? I’m keeping all options open,” he said. “We’ve been offered a possibility of serving at many other places, or there’s a great possibility of going back to the ranch and raising cattle.”

Salazar, a Democrat from Manassa, lost to Tipton by 3 percentage points. He attributed his loss to a flood of outside money that went to his opponent, Tipton.

Tipton, quoted in the Herald story, said he was unaware that Salazar was considering another run at the seat, which represents Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District.

“We just got through an election,” Tipton said. “Frankly, I’m just trying to get focused on the job at hand.”

It probably will depend on how the political winds are blowing across the nation and how unaffiliated voters are leaning. The 3rd CD is a 29-county district that has nearly 130,000 Republicans, 114,000 Democrats and 97,000 unaffiliated voters.

Update:Hickenlooper added this comment in response to Owens’ boast about better coordination: “”Gov. Owens is indeed very coordinated – at least for his age.”

Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper and former Gov. Bill Owens have a Christmas surprise for Denver.

The two are tentatively set to appear together on stage in a Dec. 23 production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, says Owens. The former Republican governor said his daughter, Monica, helped set up the appearance, which won’t actually involve much ballet by the two men.

“I believe we are Sherpas or something,” Owens said, adding tongue-in-cheek, “I think because of our muscular frames we are carrying something, maybe a person, then standing attentively and looking very ballet-esque and then retiring graciously to the side.

“It’s more than a cameo,” he said. “I think we’re on stage for 10 minutes or so.”

Though Owens has been to Russia many times, he said he’s never actually seen “The Nutcracker.” Now he’s pirouetting straight into the show, though neither of the men has professional ballet experience.

“No deux!” you say? Owens has high hopes for the evening.

“I’ll undoubtedly do a better job than John because I’m better coordinated,” Owens said.

Democrat John Hickenlooper, who often talks about how his mother washed wax paper and reused it, will draw on his own penchant for frugality when he is sworn in next month as Colorado’s 42nd governor.

Hickenlooper logo.

No fancy dinner in a fancy ballroom with tickets costing $500. Hickenlooper’s inaugural dinner and dancing will be at the Fillmore Auditorium. Tickets? $100 each.

“We have been dedicated to doing more with less and this inaugural celebration will be no exception,” Hickenlooper said in a statement.

That’s what happens when you become governor in the midst of a financial crisis threatening higher education and other vital programs.

Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov.-elect Joe Garcia today announced its “Colorado Can Do” inaugural committee, which is handling events for Jan. 11. More information on the events, including how to purchase tickets, is available at coloradocando.com.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.